Bracket for sliding table top



June 3, 1958 H. H. VON DER HELLE'N 2,337,390

BRACKET FOR SLIDING TABLE TOE Filed May 9, 1956 T 5- 30 29 /Z BY //9 Jrra A EX .Uited States Patent f" 2,837,390 BRACKET FOR SLIDING 'IABLE TOP Harold H. von der Hellen, Anaheim, Calif. Application May 9, 1956, Serial No. 583,748

4 Claims. (Cl. 311-35) This invention broadly relates to a table construction such as used in eating places where it is essential to securely position a table structure by way of a fixed base attached to the fioor and which base has a fixed table support for a table top which is slidably mounted upon said fixed table support so that the table top can be temporarily shifted to provide access to fixed seats intended for the table, whereupon the table top is replaced to its normal position.

More specifically this invention relates to clamping brackets designed to facilitate the sliding of the table top relative to the fixed table top support within certain limits 'so that the table top cannot slide off that support.

' One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a bracket structure for the purpose indicated and which structure is mountable at the undersurface of a sliding table top, and which bracket structure is provided with adjustable arms or fingers adapted to forcibly engage the undersurface of the table top support, and at the same time limit the movement of the table top relative to its support.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a bracket for the purpose indicated, which is simple and inexpensive in construction but effective in its application, and which bracket comprises a fixed base adapted for attachment to the undersurface of a slidable table top, and in which base is operatively mounted an arm extending from the base so that the free end of the arm forcibly engages the undersurface of the table top support, and wherein an adjusting element for that arm is provided to facilitate its correct engagement of the table top support.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of a bracket for the purpose indicated, and which bracket comprises a fixed base having provisions for attaching it to the undersurface of a table top and from which base extend two spaced lugs, and wherein an arm is operatively mounted between the lugs and wherein a single fixed pivot passes through the lugs and the arm, and wherein an adjusting element for the arm is provided which passes through the arm and engages the base and is adjustable relative to the latter, whereby the correct adjustment of the arm in relation to the table support can be eflected.

A further object of this invention is the provision in the bracket structure of spring means adapted to effect tensional and yielding engagement of the table top support by said arm.

The foregoing and still further objects and important advantages of the present invention will become more fully clarified by the ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a table structure in which a bracket of the present invention is employed;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the table structure in reduced size;

Fig. 3 is a detail bottom view of a bracket such as employed in Figs. 1 and 2;

2,837,390 Patented June '3, '1958 Fig. 4 is a partial vertical cross section taken approximately along lines 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 4 of a modified form of the bracket;

Fig. 6 is a plan view or bottom view of another modified form of the bracket;

Fig. 7 is a partial section along lines 7-7 of Fig. 6, but including a portion of a table top and a table support; and I Fig. 8 is a cross section of a modified form of the free end of a bracket arm.

In Figs. 1 and 2 numeral 10 denotes a vertical central column with a fixed base plate 11 for attachment to the floor and a fixed table top support 12. At the top surface of support 12 are friction-reducing cushion elements 13, see Fig. 1, upon which rests a mobile or slid ing table top 14. At the undersurface of the table top there are mounted several table top holding brackets generally indicated at 15. In Fig. 2 four of such brackets are shown but of course their number may be either increased or decreased. I

The preferred construction of a bracket is illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. That bracket essentially consists of three major parts, that is a fixed base, a holding arm and an adjusting element for the arm. The fixed base 16 comprises a plate from which extend two spaced lugs 17. In the plate are provided suitable apertures for the reception of attaching screws 18, by means of which the base is attached to the undersurface of sliding table top 14.

Operatively mounted between lugs 17 is a finger or arm 19. Through lugs 17 and arm 19 passes a fixed pivot 20 in the form of a pin or rivet which is preferably secured against detachment from the lugs. The freeend 21 of arm 19 is adapted to forcibly engage the undersurface of fixed table top support 12, while at its other end there is provided an aperture 22 for the passage there through of an adjusting element in the form of a bolt or screw 23 with a threaded end 24. Plate 16 has a threaded extension 25 in which is operatively held the threaded end of adjusting element 23. Interposed between base or plate 16 and arm 19 is a compression spring 26 adapted to cause free end 21 of the arm to tensionally but yieldably engage the undersurface of table top support 12.

As will be observed from Figs. 1 and 2, brackets 15 are so disposed that they will permit sliding oftable top 14 within certain limits but without permitting the table top to leave fixed support 12. The dotted line position of the table top in Figs. 1 and 2, and of the brackets in Fig. 1 indicates the extreme position of the table top and of the brackets relative to the table top support.

In the preferred form shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 spring 26 urges the shorter leg of arm 19 away from plate 16, whereby end 21 of arm 19 is forcibly urged against the undersurface of fixed table top support 12.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5 the position of the base is reversed so that lugs 17 are placed near the periphery of table top 14. Arm 19' is pivoted at its extreme end 27 and again is operative between lugs 17. Aperture 22' provided inthe arm again accommodates an adjusting element 23 which engages with its threaded end the plate projection 25, but in addition there is provided a lock nut 28 to prevent movement of adjusting element 23 after adjustment. Adjusting element 23' is longer than adjusting element 23 shown in Fig. 4 so that a substantial portion of that element extends through aperture 22' and beyond arm 19'. Between the headed end of element 2.3 and the arm there is provided a spring 26' which urges the free end of the arm into tensional 3 and yielding engagement with the undersurface of the fixed table top support.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a third modification of the bracket is shown which is very similar in construction to that illustrated in Fig. 5. Here again .from the base 16 extend two spaced lugs 17 and between the lugs is mounted arm 19 which is supported by pivot 20 passing through lugs 17 and arm 19". This arm is again provided with an aperture 22" adapted for the reception of an adjusting element 23" which engages threaded .end projection 25 extending from base or plate 16. Adjusting elment 23" is threaded over its entire length so that it can .be set in its adjusted position by a lock nut 28, at which position the end 21 of arm 19" forcibly engages the undersurface of fixed table top support 12. As will be noted in this construction, no spring is employed.

,A modified end construction of arm 119 is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the end 121 of the arm is provided with a recess 29 for the reception of a spring 30, the upper end of which bears against a substantially cup-shaped member 31 which is adapted to engage the undersurface of fixed table support 12. .A pin 32 limits the movement of .cup 31 and therefore the action of spring 30, and holds the spring and cup v31 against disengagement from arm end 121. This end construction of the arm may be employed in conjunction with any of the bracket structures shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, but of course its application is optional.

The foregoing description of the drawings showing various embodiments of the present invention is intended to facilitate its full understanding, but is by no means intended to in any way restrict the same to the exact structures shown and described. Obviously during the process of preparing the device for production, changes and modifications may be required, for which reason such changes and modifications essential to facilitate fabrication are deemed to reside within the scope of the present invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

What is claimed :as new is:

1. A bracket for facilitating the movement and adjustment of a sliding table top relative to a fixed table top support, said bracket .comprising a fixed base, having means to facilitate its immovable attachment to the underface of such table top, a pair of spaced .lugs extendingfrom the base and a mobile arm pivotally supported between and extending from the lugs, one ofits ends being bent for forcibly engaging the undersurface of such top support, and an adjusting element for the other end of saidarm passing throughthe latter and operatively lodged in said base, and wherein said base constitutes an attach- ,4 ing plate, said spaced lugs being located at one end of the plate, and said adjusting element being mounted at the opposite end of the plate, and wherein the other end of said arm has an aperture for the passage therethrough of said adjusting element, and wherein said plate has a threaded extension, said adjusting element having a threaded end for engaging said threaded extension to facilitate adjustment of said arm relative to said plate, and wherein means are provided for retaining said element in adjusted position, said retaining means constituting a lock nut and a coil spring for rendering the forcible engagement by said arm of the undersurface of such table top tensional and yieldable.

2. In a bracket structure for the purpose indicated, a fixed base having means for attaching it to the underface of a sliding table top resting upon a fixed support, said base comprising a plate and two spaced lugs depending therefrom, a mobile arm pivotally mounted between the lugs, one of its ends being curved upwardly to engage the nndersurface of the fixed support, an adjusting .element for said arm passing through an aperture provided in the arm and operativelyengaging said plate, the latter having a threaded extension, said adjusting element having a threaded portion engaging said plate extension, .and a spring for said arm for tensionally and yieldably urging that one end of the arm against the underface of the fixed support, and wherein said spring is mounted about said adjusting element and is interposed between said arm and said plate.

3. In a bracket structure according to claim 2, and wherein said adjusting element has a portion projecting through the arm aperture for a substantial distance, and wherein said spring is mounted about said projecting portion.

4. In a bracket structure according to claim 3, and wherein said spring is in the form of a resilient cushion mounted at that one end of the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 826,669 Kindgen July 24, 1906 1,007,727 Onken Nov. 7, 1911 1,288,560 Gordon Dec. 24, 1918 1,904,897 Kahrs Apr. 18, 1933 2,158,005 Eisenman May 9, 1939 2,332,291 Binz Oct. 19 ,1943 2,360,474 Cederquist Oct. 17, 1944 2,659,641 Draxler Nov. 17, 1953 2,723,891 Draxler Nov. 15, 1955 

